Novak Djokovic celebrates with the trophy following his 2011 victory over Rafael Nadal, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 during the finals of the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 20, 2011 in Indian Wells, California. (Photo: Jeff Gross Getty Images)

Novak Djokovic is congratulated by Rafael Nadal at the end of their match in the semi final round of the Western and Southern Financial Masters Open. Djokovic won 6-1, 7-5. (Photo: Frank Victores USA TODAY Sports)

Rafael Nadal eacts after winning a game against Novak Djokovic in the finals at the Pacific Life Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells. Nadal won the title 6-2, 7-5 in the 2007 tournament. (Photo: Elise Amendola AP)

Rafael Nadal of Spain holds the trophy after winning the 2006 French Open. Nadal beat Djokovic 6-4, 6-4 retired in the quarterfinals. It was the first meeting in their storied rivalry. (Photo: Clive Brunskill Getty Images)

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Djokovic will counter Nadal's high-bouncing balls by re-directing rallies with his two-handed backhand and stepping into the court to take time away. Both will defend like only they can.

Nadal, 28, leads their rivalry 22-19, including all five French Open meetings since 2006 – one quarterfinal, three semifinals and the 2012 final. In Grand Slam finals they are locked at 3-3.

One of the more intriguing aspects of their eight-year rivalry is how one-sided it has been at times. When one seizes control the other is forced to adapt and improve.

Djokovic, 27, beat Nadal in seven consecutive finals in 2011-12 before the Spaniard turned the tables and won six of the next seven.

Six-time Grand Slam titlist Djokovic has won their last four, including in the Rome final on clay last month.

The Belgrade native wasn't willing to call it the upper hand considering Nadal's record in Paris.

"But, okay, I have been playing some good tennis," he said. "The win in Rome a few weeks ago against him in the final definitely gives me confidence and hopefully self belief before the finals in our match."

Both will suffer.

Djokovic and Nadal are the sport's masters of physical subjugation.

They have contested some of most grueling matches in history, including a record 5-hour, 53-minute slugfest in the 2011 Australian Open final won by Djokovic that left both men wobbly.

Last year, Nadal's five-set semifinal victory in Paris lasted more than four-and-a-half hours.

"The physical challenge that we present to each other is a very important factor in our matches," said Djokovic, admitting that the result could hinge on who better anesthetizes the bodily pain.

Confidence will be key.

Nadal lost three matches on clay this spring – the most since 2004 when he was 17.

But he has been slowly rebuilding his self-belief, and said he had been practicing well and feeling better each week. He called his bullying defeat of No. 7 seed Murray his best of the season.

Nowhere is the Mallorca native more at home than on the spacious Chatrier, which he calls his favorite court.

"Probably he will come to the match mentally a little bit better than me because he beat me the last four," said Nadal. "But at the same time, my feeling is I am doing the things better and I am playing better again, so that's a positive feeling for me."

"The confidence is enough" to win the title, said Nadal's uncle and coach, Toni Nadal.

DAY 13 AT THE FRENCH OPEN PHOTO GALLERY:

Rafael Nadal who has owned the French Open in the past decade celebrates his semifinal win against Andy Murray. (Photo: Susan Mullane USA TODAY Sports)

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Djokovic is competing with a larger purpose, too, as he often has in recent years here.

In 2012, he played for the memory of his beloved grandfather, who died a few weeks before Roland Garros. Last year, it was his childhood coach, Jelena Gencic, who passed away mid-tournament.

This year, he is carrying the weight of the devastating floods in Serbia and surrounding areas of southeastern Europe that have killed dozens and left many more homeless.

The wild cards? Health and weather.

Nadal has been troubled by his back, but Toni said it was on the mend and bothered him little during his quarterfinal win against No. 5 seed David Ferrer. In his post-match interview Friday, Djokovic sounded as if he might be sick. He called it "general fatigue" and said he didn't want to talk about it.

If the weather is hot as predicted on Sunday, it could play in Nadal's favor. The dryer conditions give his high-spinning forehand extra bite and his serve more zip.

Only one will reap the spoils. A win for Djokovic sends him back to No. 1 and makes him the eighth player to have won each of the four Grand Slams at least once.

Nadal is seeking an unprecedented ninth French Open crown, which would also tie him with Pete Sampras in second-place at 14 majors. Federer leads with 17.

Asked what he could do to prepare for a foe he knows so well, Nadal shrugged. He would relax, practice and hopefully wake up Sunday morning feeling good.

"That's the only preparation, no? It's nothing special that you can do."